Two pieces of legislation to repeal a voter-approved law expanding Medicaid in Idaho have failed. The House Health and Welfare Committee voted 7-5 to return to the sponsors both efforts. The first was an outright repeal of the expansion and the second a plan to repeal the expansion in several years if expected savings didn’t result. The state Supreme Court earlier this month ruled that the voter-approved initiative was legal following a challenge from a conservative group that argued it was unconstitutional.

Meanwhile, Idaho Gov. Brad Little says the Legislature must fund a voter-approved expansion of the state’s Medicaid program before lawmakers adjourn for the year. Little made the remarks to the Idaho Press Club during the club’s annual “Breakfast with the Governor” event.

Looking to buy a ski resort? The Soldier Mountain Ski area is back on the market. Diane and Matt McFerran purchased the resort in 2015 for $600-thousand dollars. The asking price is $800-thousand. The resort opened in 1947 and was once owned by actor Bruce Willis.

A federal judge has declined to order the release of more than 6,700 pounds plants that an Oregon company says is hemp but the Idaho State Police claims is marijuana. The plants and a semitrailer that contained them were seized last month near Boise and the driver was arrested on suspicion of felony drug trafficking. The company in Oregon said they intended to use the hemp to make about 1-point 3 million dollars in product and is legal under the new federal farm bill.

23-year-old Thomas Edward Negus of Pocatello was arrested this week for allegedly burglarizing a neighboring apartment and lighting a fire inside of it. He has been charged with felony counts of burglary and first-degree arson.

A bill is working its way through the house that would allow historic theaters the opportunity to sell alcohol. One owner in Gooding said it could bring in more revenue. There’s about 13 theaters in the state that could benefit from the bill.

SPORTS

In local sports, first to boys high school basketball, the Carey Panthers have taken their place in the state defeating the Camas County Mushers in district playoffs in Shoshone last night with a score of 43 to 40. Camas county still has a chance in the play-in game.

Elsewhere, Oakley defeated Glenns Ferry 41 to 40 and it was Preston 55 Twin Falls 46. The Bruins will play Idaho Falls in Boise in the State Tournament.

The men of the College of Southern Idaho Basketball Team lost to Snow College yesterday with a score of 83 to 72.

As for the women eagles, Snow college said no way with a win of 86 to 62.

A Burley man was arrested yesterday in connection to the 1995 disappearance and death of 14 year old Regina Lee Krieger. The FBI and local authorities say 56 year old Gilberto Flores Rodriguez has been charged with 1st degree murder. Krieger’s body went missing February 28, 1995. In April of that year her body washed onto the shore of the Snake River east of Rupert. She had been stabbed.

Following court testimony from a Hansen Nurse, grim details are emerging in a case where a Colorado mother was allegedly murdered by her fiancé. In the testimony Patrick Frazee is accused of beating Kelsey Berreth while the couple’s 1 year old daughter was in another room. Frazee repeatedly asked Krystal Kenney to kill Kelsey testimony concluded. He allegedly beat her with a baseball bat and burned her body along with the bat. The body has not been found. Frazee has not entered a plea on any of the charges.

Buhl school board chairman Jim Barker has tendered his resignation after serving for 10 years. Barker said personal family obligations and a busy travel schedule have been interfering with his school board work.

A Twin Falls man is facing five felony charges for lewd conduct and sexual abuse of a minor under the age of 16. Randal Towell an investigator for the Twin Falls County Public Defender's Office is accused of touching and sexually abusing a 15-year-old girl. He has pleaded not guilty. A pre-trial is set for May 28th.

Six people are homeless after a fire ripped through their Jerome home yesterday morning. No one was injured in the fire. The call for help went out around 8:30 am. The home is located in the 200 block of Fifth Avenue East. Cause is still under investigation.

Authorities in Owyhee County say they are suspending the “missing person” search for a 32-year-old man who left his car to get help after getting stranded with a woman and their infant. Eric Rose and Francesca Watson were trying to go to Silver City with their 1-year-old last week, but they got stuck in deep snow. After about four or five days, Rose tried to walk out to get help, and he hasn’t been seen since. Watson and the child were found safe in the vehicle.

SPORTS

In local sports, in Boys High School Basketball, Kimberly took the district title last night winning over Buhl 54 to 47.

Lighthouse Christian beat Camas county 75 to 54. Lighthouse moves to the state tournament while Camas County will face Carey Today to determine which teams earn second and third place in the district.

1958Merle Haggard was transferred to San Quentin Prison, after a failed escape attempt from Bakersfield Jail. During his time at the proson, Haggard started to run a gambling and brewing racket with his cellmate. One time, after he was caught drunk, he was sent for a week to solitary confinement. Haggard had been arrested in 1957 shortly after he tried to rob a Bakersfield roadhouse.

1958Born on this day in Princeton, New Jersey, was Mary Chapin Carpenter, folk and country music singer, songwriter. Carpenter has won five Grammy Awards and is the only artist to have won four consecutive Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance, which she received from 1992 to 1995.

1970Born on this day in Chattanooga, Tennessee, was Eric Heatherly, country music artist who had the 2000 top 20 County hit “Swimming in Champagne.”

1976C. W. McCall was at #1 on the US country album chart with Black Bear Road, which included the #1 hit novelty song, "Convoy". The song itself was largely responsible for starting a nationwide citizens' band radio craze. The song "Black Bear Road" in turn popularized the now-infamous road itself, along with its "You don't HAVE to be crazy to drive this road - but it helps" sign.

1990Country music winners at the 32nd Annual Grammy Awards included; Best Female Country Vocal Performance, k.d. lang for Absolute Torch and Twang, Best Male Country Vocal Performance, Lyle Lovett for Lyle Lovett and His Large Band, Best Country Performance by a Group, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band for Will the Circle Be Unbroken: Volume Two, Best Country Vocal Collaboration, Hank Williams Jr. & Hank Williams Sr. for "There's a Tear in My Beer", Best Country Instrumental Performance Randy Scruggs for "Amazing Grace."

2000Chad Brock released "Yes!" the second single from his album of the same name. The song which is considered to be Brock's signature song reached the top of the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart, spending three weeks at #1 in the US and one week in Canada.

2001At the 43rd Annual Grammy Awards held at Staples Center, Los Angeles, Faith Hill took home Best Country Album for the album Breathe, Best Female Country Vocal Performance for the song's title track and for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals with Tim McGraw for "Let's Make Love".

2007The police officer who arrested John Michael Montgomery in 2006 for drunken driving was fired. Officials in Lexington, Ky., charged Joshua Cromer with unbecoming conduct, dishonesty and insubordination after he arrested Montgomery on Feb. 14, 2006, near the singer's home. Following the arrest, Cromer altered a photograph to show himself posing with Montgomery and then posted it on his own MySpace page.

Additional charges have been filed against the Colorado man charged with murder and solicitation to commit murder in the death of his missing fiancée. Patrick Frazee was in court yesterday to determine whether he will stand trial for the death of Kelsey Berreth’s Death. The case relies on the cooperation of Krystal Jean Lee Kenney, a 32-year-old woman from Hansen who pleaded guilty this month to tampering with evidence in the case. Kenney said she moved "the victim's cellphone" around Thanksgiving. The body has not been located.

Having photo identification is something most take for granted. However, if you're an inmate just getting out of prison, acquiring a valid, up-to-date photo ID may not be so easy to get. That's why the Idaho State Department of Corrections, Department of Motor Vehicles and Idaho Transportation Department are teaming up to install photo ID machines in all of Idaho's prisons.

The chairman of the Idaho Republican Party has resigned. The party released Jonathan Parker’s resignation letter he sent on Monday. Jennifer Locke of Hayden will be acting chair until a replacement is elected this summer.

Legislation intended to increase testing of sexual assault and rape evidence kits and get DNA results into a national database has cleared the House. The proposed law would allow victims to halt prosecutions, but the evidence would still be tested and submitted to the national database for potential matches.

Twin Falls officials are again asking the council to weigh the costs and benefit of recycling. Processing costs have reached $189 per ton. The current budget calls for the recycling to go into the landfill if the cost exceeds $175 per ton.

A new trial has been scheduled for 28 year old Daniel Alldrin, a northern Idaho man charged with first-degree murder in the death of his 28-day-old daughter. A Nez Perce County jury was unable to reach a verdict following an eight-day trial in November. A previous trial was scheduled for May 2018 in Clearwater County, but it was called off after a jury could not be seated. Alldrin told authorities a speaker had fallen on the child.

In local sports, in High School Boys Basketball playoff action the Valley Vikings won a third straight Snake River Conference title topping Oakley with a score of 46 to 39.

Elsewhere Glenns Ferry defeated Raft River 52 to 50. Glenns Ferry will face Oakley in the district second place game on Thursday. Raft River’s season ends at 11-12.

Pocatello defeated Minico 64 to 62 and it was Declo 67 to Wendell 16 and it was Carey downing Hansen 51 to 40. Carey will face Murtaugh on Wednesday.

In three overtimes the final outcome was Murtaugh over Dietrich 77 to 75.

February 20th: On this day

1954"Slowly" by Webb Pierce became the first #1 song on Billboard's country charts to feature the pedal steel guitar. (His biggest hit was "In the Jailhouse Now," which charted for 37 weeks in 1955).

1981Born on this day in Oceanside, California, was Chris Thile, musician, with the acoustic folk/progressive bluegrass quintet Punch Brothers. He was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Country Instrumental Performance for "The Eleventh Reel" in 2006.

1991Country music winners at the 33rd Annual Grammy Awards included; Kathy Mattea for "Where've You Been" who won Best Country Song and Best Country Vocal Performance, Best Male Country Vocal Performance, went to Vince Gill for "When I Call Your Name", Best Country Performance by a Group was The Kentucky Headhunters for Pickin' on Nashville and Best Country Vocal Collaboration went to Chet Atkins & Mark Knopfler for "Poor Boy Blues."

1993Billy Ray Cyrus was at #1 on the US Country music album chart with his debut album, Some Gave All which included his breakthrough hit "Achy Breaky Heart".

1996Alan Jackson made a guest appearance on Home Improvement, singing "Mercury Blues" on the fictitious handyman show Tool Time. Part of the show's attraction was its token "Tool Time girl", whose primary roles were to look good, be curvaceous, roll out various props and help introduce the two hosts.

2005LeAnn Rimes performed "Nothin' 'Bout Love Makes Sense" and Big & Rich performed "Save A Horse (Ride A Cowboy)" at halftime during the NBA all-star basketball game at Denver's Colorado Convention Center.

Authorities say a 33 year old Burley woman was injured after she jumped from the driver’s side of her pickup along the interstate near Jerome early yesterday. Maribel Villeda was eastbound. A semi-truck following the pickup swerved to avoid striking Villeda who was in the roadway. The truck struck Villeda’s vehicle. The pickup came to rest in the lane of travel the semi stopped in the median. Villeda was taken to the hospital for treatment. The eastbound lanes were closed for about 4 hours.

Another store is leaving the Magic Valley Mall. Payless Shoe Source is closing all of its 21-hundred stores after filing for bankruptcy protection in 2017. 18-thousand people will be out of a job.

Police say they arrested a man after he forced entry into a woman’s home and threatened her with a gun in Meridian Sunday afternoon. Investigators tracked the man to a desert area south of Kuna, leading to a nearly four-hour standoff. Jefferson Griffith was later arrested on suspicion of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Two people were killed following a head on collision on I-84 last night. Idaho State Police say 39 year old Jennifer Thompson of Hagerman was eastbound in the westbound lanes when she struck another vehicle driven by 21 year old Ryan Cordie of Minnesota. Thompson died at the scene. 21 year old Monica Buchite, a passenger in the Cordie vehicle also died at the scene. Cordie and his passenger 44 year old Karrie Cordie were transported to St. Alphonsus in Boise by Air ambulance. The accident happened just before 9 pm.

The Legislature’s budget-setting committee has approved about a 6 percent increase to $2.2 billion for public schools in grades kindergarten through 12th grade. Yesterday, The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee voted unanimously for the budget for fiscal year 2020 that must next clear the House and Senate, and be approved by the governor.

Idaho officials have sent a Medicaid expansion plan to the federal government for approval. It could take several months before the state hears back from the federal agency. The state agency is also accepting public comments on the changes to Medicaid until March 22.

SPORTS

In local sports, the Lighthouse Christian School Boys Basketball team took the win from Murtaugh last night 61 to 40. That sends the lions to the district championship game. Elsewhere Camas County defeated Hansen 71 to 60 sending the Mushers to district. Now the Mushers will face the Lions in the district title game tomorrow. Today, Hansen Plays Carey.

Elsewhere, Buhl defeated Filer 46 to 42 sending the Indians to play Kimberly in the district title game tomorrow at CSI. Raft River downed Shoshone 60 to 48 and Carey defeated Castleford 63 to 57.

1943Born on this day in Corinth, Mississippi was Bobby Emmons who as a songwriter wrote hits for George Strait ("So Much Like My Dad"), Waylon Jennings ("Luckenbach, Texas," "Women Do Know How to Carry On" and "Wurlitzer Prize") and Tanya Tucker ("Love Me Like You Used To"). Emmons who was a member of Bill Black's Combo from 1960-63 died on February 23rd 2015.

1966Buck Owens was at #1 on the country singles chart with Waitin' in Your Welfare Line. The single was Owens' tenth #1 on the US country music chart and the track spent seven weeks at the top and a total of eighteen weeks on the country chart.

1977Country music winners at the 19th Annual Grammy Awards included; Best Country Vocal Performance, Female - Emmylou Harris for Elite Hotel, Best Country Vocal Performance, Male - Ronnie Milsap for "(I'm a) Stand By My Woman Man", Best Country Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group - Amazing Rhythm Aces for "The End Is Not in Sight (The Cowboy Tune)", and Best Country Song - Larry Gatlin (songwriter) for "Broken Lady."

1977Elvis Presley was at #1 on the Billboard country chart with "Moody Blue". Written by Mark James, (who also penned Elvis' "Suspicious Minds"), the song became Presley's last #1 hit in his lifetime,

1983Alabama were at #1 on the US Country music album chart with Mountain Music, released in 1982, it is the award-winning third studio album by the country music group.

1987Willie Nelson's American western drama movie Red Headed Stranger premiered in Austin. The film studio had wanted Robert Redford to play the Red Headed Stranger a role Nelson had envisioned for himself. It took two years, but Redford finally turned the part down.

2004Johnny Cash's family blocked an attempt by advertisers to use his hit song "Ring of Fire" to promote haemorrhoid-relief products. The idea is said to have been backed by Merle Kilgore, who co-wrote the song with Cash's wife, June Carter Cash. Cash's daughter Rosanne said the family "would never allow the song to be demeaned like that."

2014Luke Bryan was at #1 on the country singles chart with Drink a Beer. Bryan has described Drink a Beer as "the coolest sad song ever" and noted that he connects with the story after having lost both of his siblings.

The Lincoln County Sheriff has been placed on administrative leave for thirty days. Sheriff Rene Rodriquez will receive his pay but Chief Deputy Steve Phillips is serving as the acting sheriff.

Authorities in Gooding say they called on assistance from the Twin Falls SWAT team last week to assist with what they are calling a domestic disturbance that ended up lasting nearly four hours. Police were called to the 600 block of Elm Circle in Gooding where a man barricaded himself in the residence and would not respond to commands from law enforcement. The suspect was taken for medical treatment and criminal charges are pending.

Meanwhile authorities are looking for an attempted armed robbery suspect that took place earlier Wednesday afternoon outside of Gooding Pharmacy. The pharmacy had closed for the day and employees were confronted outside. The suspect then ran from the scene. The person was tracked for several blocks. Police ask you call SIRCOMM if you can assist with that investigation.

With objections from several education groups the senate education committee OK’d a bill to give charter schools more latitude in hiring administrators. Under the bill, a charter administrator would have to hold a bachelor’s degree, meet one of several work experience requirements and pass a criminal background check.

Lawmakers on a budget-setting committee have voted unanimously to approve money for a new veteran’s home in northern Idaho. The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee voted 20-0 last week to approve a $78.5 million budget for the Idaho Division of Veterans Services that includes $42 million for a veteran’s home in Post Falls.

An Idaho woman has received a 16-year prison sentence for what one prosecutor calls the “worst abuse” she has seen in her 11 years on the job. Judge Christopher Nye handed Esperanza Espinoza, of Canyon County, the sentence with six years to be served before she is eligible for parole. He also issued a no-contact order for 16 years.

51 year old Sarah Kester who refused to report her husband’s yearslong sexual abuse of young relatives and instead prayed for “the demon” to leave him was ordered Thursday to spend a year in a prison treatment program. If she fails to complete the program she could spend up to 10 years in prison.

SPORTS

In local sports, first to wrestling where the Jerome Tigers won the Great Basin Conference and win the district title.

In Boys High School Basketball Twin Falls outlasted Century 65 to 57. Twin Falls will play in the championship game on Thursday at Preston, with a trip to the 4A state tournament now locked up.

In CSI Womens Basketball the Eagles defeated Colorado Northwestern Community College 95 to 52. Next up the eagles will play at Snow Collage Thursday.

On the mens side, CSI also defeated Colorado Northwestern 91 to 89.

WEATHER

Today: Overcast. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Temps nearly steady in the low to mid 30s. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph.

Tonight: Cloudy skies with a few snow showers after midnight. Low 22F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 30%.

Tomorrow: Cloudy early with partial sunshine expected late. High near 30F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph.

WEDNESDAY: Snow showers likely with possible 1 to 3 inches.

High: 31 Low: 20

Mountains: 22 Low: 10

THURSDAY: Mostly cloudy. Chance of snow in both the Magic Valley and Wood River Valley.

High: 33 Low: 19

Mountains: 25 Low: 7

FRIDAY: Partly sunny. Chance of snow

High: 32 Low: 18

Mountains: 24 Low: 7

SATURDAY: Mostly cloudy. Slight chance of snow in both the Magic Valley and Wood River Valley.

High: 34 Mountains: 25

February 18th: On this day

1914

Born on this day in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was Julius Frank Anthony Kuczynski who became better known as Pee Wee King. The American country music songwriter is best known for co-writing "The Tennessee Waltz", which was a hit for both Cowboy Copas, Patti Page and Petula Clark. He died of a heart attack in Louisville, Kentucky, aged 86 on March 7, 2000.

1952

Born on this day in Lakehurst, New Jersey, was Juice Newton pop and country singer, songwriter and guitarist. To date, Newton has received five Grammy Award nominations and scored the 1981 Country #1 single "The Sweetest Thing (I've Ever Known)."

1954

George Jones recorded "No Money in This Deal" for Starday Records and began the singer's association with producer and mentor H.W. "Pappy" Dailey.

1970

Born on this day, was Raine Maida, Canadian musician best known as being the lead vocalist and primary songwriter of the alternative rock band Our Lady Peace. Maida began a solo career in 2006, releasing his first solo album The Hunters Lullaby in 2007. He also self-produced Our Lady Peace's seventh studio album, Burn Burn, in 2009.

1988

Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner performed together for the first time since their 1974 breakup, while taping an episode of Dolly! at Nashville's Grand Ole Opry House. Parton wrote the song "I Will Always Love You" after Wagoner suggested she shift from story songs to focus on love songs.

1999

Dixie Chicks were at #1 on the US Country music album chart with their fourth studio album and major label debut Wide Open Spaces. At the 41st Grammy Awards, the album was awarded 2 Grammy Awards out of 3 nominations.

2003

Country singer Johnny Paycheck died at the age of 64. He had been in a nursing home, suffering from emphysema and asthma. During his career, Paycheck recorded 70 albums and had more than two dozen hit singles, the biggest of which was the working man's anthem, "Take This Job and Shove It".

2008

Carrie Underwood kicked off The Carnival Ride Tour in Wachovia Arena, Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania. The singers first headlined tour was in support of her second album, Carnival Ride.

A Burley man is facing child sex charges after authorities say he abused a 7 year old girl and a 10 year old boy. 37 year old Jose Luis Ochoa Jr. has been charged with felony counts of lewd conduct with a child and having sexual contact with a minor under the age of 16.

The synthetic skating rink in Downtown Twin Falls has been put into storage. The rink was purchased for about 30-thousand dollars and was set up in the downtown commons across from city hall. 680 people rented skates throughout since the end of November.

20 year old Kaden Black was sentenced this week to a suspended five to seven years in prison. The Burley man used the Alford plea. He was charged with stealing 15-thousand dollars’ worth of toys from the Mini-Cassia Christmas Council. Some toys were found but many had been damaged.

A disease that afflicts elk and leaves their hooves broken and deformed has been found in Idaho for the first time. Idaho Fish and Game has confirmed a case of treponema associated hoof disease in an animal killed by a hunter near White Bird last year.

Legislation to keep operating an Idaho board that pays a federal agency to kill wolves that attack livestock and elk moved to the full House. The legislation has already passed the Senate. The board has in the past received $400,000 annually from the state. Gov. Brad Little has asked the Legislature to approve $200,000 in general fund tax dollars for the board in fiscal year 2020. Officials say they will need more than that to keep operating.

The state’s public defense system still doesn’t guarantee defendants the right to a fair trial and should be found unconstitutional according to the American Civil Liberties Union of Idaho. Attorney Liz Lockwood made the argument in 4th district court this week, asking the Judge to rule in favor of the class-action lawsuit that includes criminal defendants who can’t afford their own attorneys across the state.

Legislation has been introduced to honor a conservationist who led efforts to prevent the extinction of Idaho’s state raptor, the peregrine falcon. The House Ways and Means Committee on Thursday unanimously sent to the full House the resolution honoring Tom Cade, who died Feb. 6 at age 91.

SPORTS

In local sports, first to the Girls High school basketball playoffs where Shoshone said no to the Liberty Charter School 32 to 19. Shoshone will face Prairie at 6:15 p.m. tonight at Columbia High School in Nampa.

It was Minico 57 over Hillcrest 47. The Spartans will play Caldwell tonight at 8 pm.

Homedale said no to Buhl 48 to 35. Buhl now will face Bonners Ferry this afternoon at 1:15 in Nampa.

It was West Jefferson 51 over Declo 40. Declo plays Malad this afternoon at 1:15 pm at Bishop Kelly in Boise.

Salmon trounced Dietrich 59 to 43. Dietrich will play Kendrick this evening at Nampa High School.

Carey beat Rockland 41 to 30.

In Boys Basketball, Minico hammered Mountain Home 60 to 45. It was Twin Falls 73 over Pocatello 52 and Oakley beat Glenns Ferry 53 to 47.

The College of Southern Idaho Golden Eagles Womens Basketball team took the win over the Salt Lake Community College 66 to 53. As for the CSI men, Salt Lake overpowered the Eagles 70 to 68. CSI will host Colorado Northwestern community college tomorrow.

* IMPACTS...Hazardous travel conditions are expected due to snow covered roads and reduced visibility. Winds gusting as high as 35 MPH will also cause areas of blowing and drifting snow, especially over mountain passes. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Winter Weather Advisory means periods of snow and blowing snow will cause primarily travel difficulties. Be prepared for snow covered roads and limited visibilities, and use caution while driving. The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

* At 1010 PM MST, Hailey Fire Department indicated that an avalanche was blocking the Big Wood River at Della Vista and War Eagle Drive in Hailey. Water was backing up into several homes.

* Some locations that will experience flooding include... The Della Vista and War Eagle sub-division in Hailey.

Turn around, don`t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. A Flood Warning means that flooding is imminent or occurring. All interested parties should take necessary precautions immediately.

________________________________________

Avalanche Warning

Areas Affected: Blaine

NWS Pocatello (Southeastern Idaho)

THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE IS TRANSMITTED AT THE REQUEST OF THE FOREST SERVICE SAWTOOTH AVALANCHE CENTER. THE FOREST SERVICE SAWTOOTH AVALANCHE CENTER IN KETCHUM HAS CONTINUED A BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE WARNING.

* TIMING...IN EFFECT UNTIL 730 AM MST FRIDAY.

* AFFECTED AREA...THE SOLDIER MOUNTAINS AND THE MOUNTAINS BORDERING THE WOOD RIVER VALLEY NEAR BELLEVUE, HAILEY, AND KETCHUM.

* AVALANCHE DANGER...THE AVALANCHE DANGER FOR THE WARNING AREA IS HIGH.

* REASON/IMPACTS...HEAVY SNOWFALL AND DRIFTING WILL COMBINE TO OVERLOAD A WEAK SNOWPACK. WIDESPREAD AVALANCHES WILL OCCUR, POSSIBLY IMPACTING ROADWAYS AND STRUCTURES IN VALLEY BOTTOMS. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... BACKCOUNTRY TRAVELERS SHOULD STAY OFF OF...AND OUT FROM UNDERNEATH...SLOPES STEEPER THAN 30 DEGREES. AVALANCHES MAY RUN LONG DISTANCES AND CAN RUN INTO MATURE FORESTS. CONSULT WWW.SAWTOOTHAVALANCHE.COM FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION. SIMILAR AVALANCHE DANGER MAY EXIST AT LOCATIONS OUTSIDE THE COVERAGE AREA OF THIS OR ANY AVALANCHE CENTER.

________________________________________

Winter Weather Advisory

Areas Affected: Boise Mountains; West Central Mountains

NWS Boise (Southwestern Idaho and Eastern Oregon)

...MORE SNOW IN THE IDAHO MOUNTAINS TODAY... .Snow will continue today in the Idaho mountains north of the Snake Basin as snow levels continue to lower. Amounts of 3 to 6 inches will be common. Snow showers will continue through Sunday with several more inches likely during that long period. ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS AFTERNOON...

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Be prepared for reduced visibilities at times. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Winter Weather Advisory for snow means periods of snow will cause primarily travel difficulties. Be prepared for snow covered roads and limited visibilities, and use caution while driving. The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

________________________________________

Avalanche Warning

Areas Affected: Camas; Elmore

NWS Boise (Southwestern Idaho and Eastern Oregon)

THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE IS TRANSMITTED AT THE REQUEST OF THE FOREST SERVICE SAWTOOTH AVALANCHE CENTER. ...THE FOREST SERVICE SAWTOOTH AVALANCHE CENTER IN KETCHUM HAS CONTINUES A BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE WARNING...

* TIMING...IN EFFECT UNTIL 730 AM MST FRIDAY.

* AFFECTED AREA...THE SOLDIER MOUNTAINS AND THE MOUNTAINS BORDERING THE THE WOOD RIVER VALLEY NEAR BELLEVUE, HAILEY, AND KETCHUM.

* AVALANCHE DANGER...THE AVALANCHE DANGER FOR THE WARNING AREA IS HIGH.

* REASON/IMPACTS...HEAVY SNOWFALL AND DRIFTING WILL COMBINE TO OVERLOAD A WEAK SNOWPACK. WIDESPREAD AVALANCHES WILL OCCUR, POSSIBLY IMPACTING ROADWAYS AND STRUCTURES IN VALLEY BOTTOMS. PRECAUTION/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... BACKCOUNTRY TRAVELERS SHOULD STAY OFF OF...AND OUT FROM UNDERNEATH...SLOPES STEEPER THAN 30 DEGREES. AVALANCHES MAY RUN LONG DISTANCES AND CAN RUN INTO MATURE FORESTS. CONSULT WWW.SAWTOOTHAVALANCHE.COM FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION. SIMILAR AVALANCHE DANGER MAY EXIST AT LOCATIONS OUTSIDE THE COVERAGE AREA OF THIS OR ANY AVALANCHE CENTER.